State wants ‘maximum prison’ for ex-Miamisburg teacher convicted of sex crimes

The prosecutor of a former Miamisburg teacher found guilty of sex crimes with a minor student said the convicted woman should face a maximum sentence.

But the penalty Jessica Langford will face after a jury’s April 13 verdict will not be handed down Monday, as initially scheduled.

Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Timothy O’Connell postponed the court date until May 29 after the 32-year-old Centerville woman’s attorney said he needed more time to complete the presentence report process, court records show.

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O’Connell granted the request last week after attorney Lawrence Greger said Langford needs more time after meeting with a clinical psychologist.

The delay will allow the defense “to be able to complete the assessment, and allow the (psychologist) to fully prepare any and all opinions and transmit them back to the probation officer, for inclusion into the presentence report,” according to documents Gregor filed.

“Depending on the results, a sentencing hearing may be requested by the defendant,” court records show.

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Langford was found guilty of three counts of sexual battery and three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Assistant Prosecutor Michele Henne said Langford is eligible for probation.

But Henne said she will push for “maximum prison time” for the crimes, which she said do not carrying with them mandatory prison sentences.

Sentencing recommendations had not been filed as of late last week. But Henne said after the jury’s decision “we would ask for her to serve the maximum prison time. She did violate the trust of the community, of the school, of society generally speaking by taking advantage of a young student.”

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Each of the six counts carries with it up to five years in prison, and Henne said she expects the court to merge the counts, likely making the maximum sentence 15 years.

The jury of eight men and four women reached its verdict after a former Miamisburg Middle School student testified he was 14 years old when he had sex with Langford in her classroom on May 23, 2017.

Langford, who was hired by the district full-time in 2008 after a stint as a student teacher, was placed on paid administrative leave that day and later resigned in a letter dated that same day, records show.

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Later that week, the father of the teen accuser told the jury, he filed a criminal complaint with the Miami Twp. Police Department.

Langford was indicted in November and pleaded not guilty to all six charges. Since then, she has remained free on her own recognizance.

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